Bishop Callistus Onaga of Enugu in the southeastern region of Nigeria laid out the qualities of effective dialogue as a means to prevent violent conflict in a recent visit to the headquarters of the charity Aid to the Church in Need in Frankfurt, Germany.

"The precondition is that life must be seen as a gift of God and the other person respected, as the image of God, the image of Allah, and not as an enemy or an unbeliever," Bishop Onaga said. The principle of violence, according to which anyone who kills, or is killed by, an unbeliever goes to Paradise, must be broken through, he insisted.....Access to education is essential, he believes, for there are a number of tribal peoples who have almost no education other than a knowledge of the Koran. "Nigeria is an immense country, with hundreds of different languages, a real melting pot, like the United States," he added. Yet, if the other person is not excluded but rather acknowledged, then peaceful coexistence is still possible, he believes.

I'm sure the good bishop did not mean this, but he seemed to be saying that martyrdom is part of the larger principle of violence.

« Last Edit: June 12, 2011, 05:51:02 PM by Jetavan »

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If you will, you can become all flame.Extra caritatem nulla salus.In order to become whole, take the "I" out of "holiness". सर्वभूतहितἌνω σχῶμεν τὰς καρδίας"Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is." -- Mohandas GandhiY dduw bo'r diolch.

Bishop Callistus Onaga of Enugu in the southeastern region of Nigeria laid out the qualities of effective dialogue as a means to prevent violent conflict in a recent visit to the headquarters of the charity Aid to the Church in Need in Frankfurt, Germany.

"The precondition is that life must be seen as a gift of God and the other person respected, as the image of God, the image of Allah, and not as an enemy or an unbeliever," Bishop Onaga said. The principle of violence, according to which anyone who kills, or is killed by, an unbeliever goes to Paradise, must be broken through, he insisted.....Access to education is essential, he believes, for there are a number of tribal peoples who have almost no education other than a knowledge of the Koran. "Nigeria is an immense country, with hundreds of different languages, a real melting pot, like the United States," he added. Yet, if the other person is not excluded but rather acknowledged, then peaceful coexistence is still possible, he believes.

I'm sure the good bishop did not mean this, but he seemed to be saying that martyrdom is part of the larger principle of violence.

The Bishop is indeed in harm's way, as are the faithful Christians in Nigeria. Although they are not Orthodox, we should remember their struggles for Christ in our prayers and ask that they be protected and that their faith be restored if challenged.